Àcorda - Traditional Portuguese String Instruments Meeting
Project Summary
This project has a unique characteristic: it is set to be an annual public event dedicated to traditional Portuguese cordophones.
Its main goal is to draw the attention of the public in general – and the academics in particular – to the interest and urgency of reviving a large part of the traditional Portuguese chordophones, promoting the preservation of traditional knowledge regarding instrumental musical practices, the construction of musical instruments and the conservation of repertoires. It is this major objective of Safeguarding, recommended by the UNESCO Convention, that the event aims to achieve.
This project aims to give voice to one of the instruments that has been most affected by the lack of incentive to its practice: the viola toeira, an instrument characteristic of the Coimbra area and one of the most complex traditional Portuguese violas both in construction and execution. On the other hand, it proposes to promote the preservation of the practice of traditional Portuguese music especially related to Portuguese string instruments and its dissemination.
At the end of each year, an assessment is made: of the promoters’ work and the results of research by other groups. And, also, feasibilities are projected in order to make the public share the beauty of the traditional chordophones and their sounds and, consequently, have a preponderant role in their safeguard.
It is therefore important to continue this annual public event which is, at the same time, the public demonstration of the work. Àcorda – Meeting of Traditional Portuguese Cordophones presents a defined and permanent structure, mostly practical:
• presentation of the annual theme;
• discussion, based on visited and revisited experiences (live, in film or sound recording or other media)
• performative component;
• luthiery and musical practice workshops;
• musical concerts under the motto “A toeira convida…”
Main partners
- UNESCO Chair in Intangible Heritage and Traditional Know-How
- Polytechnic of Coimbra
- Coimbra City Council
Other partners
Main Team
- Filipe Themudo Barata (UNESCO Chair in Intangible Heritage and Traditional Know-How/CIDEHUS)
- Natália Albino Pires (UNESCO Chair in Intangible Heritage and Traditional Know-How/PUC)
- Cristina Faria (PUC/CESEM)
- Avelino Correia (ESE- PUC/INET-md – NOVA FCSH)
- Rui Paulo Simões (PUC)
- Manuel Rocha (Coimbra Conservatory of Music)
Other team members
- César Nogueira (PUC)
- Rosário Pestana (INET-md Aveiro)
- Rui Marques (INET-md Aveiro)
Editions
2022 | ÀCORDA – 5th Meeting of Traditional Portuguese String Instruments, auditorium of the Coimbra Music Conservatory | Program | Poster | Opening Session | Opening Conference “Heritage – past with future”| | Panel: Playing | Panel: Building | Discover the Viola Toeira | Conversation with Natalina Cristóvão | Quartet Concert «Moritz»
2021 | ÀCORDA – IV Meeting of Traditional Portuguese String Instruments, auditorium of the Coimbra Music Conservatory | Program | Poster | Opening Session | Opening Conference – Intangible Cultural Heritage, the power of practitioners | Portuguese guitars in the diaspora | Raúl Simões, memory of the man and the artist | Playing Toeira | Discover the Viola Toeira | Panel: Building | Panel: Playing | Balance and Future | Concert
2020 | WAKE UP– III Meeting of Traditional Portuguese String Instruments held at the Penedo da Saudade Cultural Center | Program | Poster
2019 | ÀCORDA – II Meeting of Traditional Portuguese Chordophones held at the Water Museum of Coimbra | Program | Poster
2018 | ÀCORDA – 1st Meeting of Traditional Portuguese String Instruments held at the Coimbra Music Conservatory | Program | Poster
Extension Activities
An initiative of the EcoMusic project – Sustainable Practices: a study on post-folklorism in Portugal in the 21st century, ongoing at the University of Aveiro and included in the parallel activities of ÀCORDA – Meeting of Traditional Portuguese Chordophones, took place on Zoom between May 7th and June 18th 2021.
- viola da terra | Rafael Carvalho and Raimundo Leonardes | coordination: Rui Marques
- viola de arame madeirense | Roberto Moniz and Mário Freitas | coordination: Rui Marques
- viola campaniça | Pedro Mestre and Orlando Trindade | coordination: Carlos Batista
- viola beiroa | Miguel Carvalhinho and Fernando Deghi | coordination: Thomas Garcia
- viola toeira | Thomas Garcia and Eduardo Loio | coordination: Felipe Barão
- viola amarantina | Eduardo Costa and António Teixeira Silva | coordination: Felipe Barão
- viola braguesa | João Diogo Leitão e Diogo Valente Santos | coordination: Rui Marques
Round Table «Seven Musicians, Seven Guitars: teaching, repertoires and creative dynamics» | Poster
2020: Viola toeira exhibition in Coimbra: arts of making and playing | Poster | Documentary